BLAINE (AP) — State Police say two people died and seven others were injured when a Michigan-based truck carrying firefighters left the roadway, hit the median and rolled on Interstate 35 West near Minneapolis.

The accident about 3 p.m. Saturday prompted authorities to close the road in both directions, detouring traffic to off-ramps. The southbound lane remains closed until further notice.

Minnesota State Patrol said in a statement: "The truck left the roadway for an unknown reason, struck the median cable barriers and rolled."

Police say there were nine people in the vehicle, which belonged to the Beartown Firefighters in Baraga, Michigan, and was headed to fight the Box Canyon wildfire in Utah.

Authorities did not release the names of the two dead or the conditions of those injured.

 

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